Photoshop for fun and profit

[bledsoe]

Not able to see them here, but will check my computer once I get home. Thanks again for the tutorial!

[jfrancho]

They're there. Nice job putting that together. I all too familiar with the effort .

[bledsoe]

I see them now, thanks Cindy!

[Digital Hands]

That was pretty good. Do you charge her extra if you fix it in Photoshop?

Denny

[littlegal]

Hi Denny,
No, I retouch all of my images to some extent or another. I just can't bring myself to show a client something I know can be better.
As far as retouching the person themselves, besides just basic skin retouching, I always ask first.

[CI Photography]

Thanks for the tutorial.



Joe

[Tilak]

Nice tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

[cadmium]

Thank you for the tutorials. If I may offer my opinion as someone who is somewhat new to photography but experienced in photoshop I prefer a more subtle style of manipulation so I'm not a big fan of the effects in the first and third pictures (but that is a subjective opinion).

The last picture crop is an improvement, but the removal of the exit sign could have been cleaner. Also the contrast in the crop seems to be worse for some reason.

The second picture to me is the most successful, the crop improves the composition and the edits are subtle.

I hope I'm not out of place by offering some criticism - I think it's great you share your techniques for people to learn from.

[littlegal]

I definately appreciate what you have to say cadmium, but you must remember, that most wedding photographers don't do this at all.

Typically, a wedding photographer (depending on UK or US) is dealing with 500-100 photographs at one time. 90 percent of those shots are candid.

If a wedding photographer has one event a week, well you can see where you can't spend eternity in PS.

However, don't get me wrong. I value what you have to say. It all comes down however to a time management/expectation issue.

For instance, I advertise myself as a "wedding photojournalist". By doing so, I shoot just as I would in the Wire Service, which I was a memeber of before Wedddings. (Sipa). Which means, it all plays out as it was.

However, from a sales standpoint, I'm going to sell the cleaned up print, much faster than the ooc photograph, which would be the normal pj standpoint.

Due to workload, I also can't spend enormous amounts of time on any one photo, as my normal turnover rate is above 800 fully manipulated photos, and an album in one week.

So there is the cunnundrum. I do more than expected, but not as much as I'd like.

You should start a PS thread. I bet people would be very interested. I know I would.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

[littlegal]

One more thing.

You mentioned a suble edit. In most cases this works well. However to separate yourself as a photographer sometimes you need extremes:

1.


2.


3.


4.


Once you make yourself a bit different, or offer something that someone doesn't, you can ask for the kind of money that your really deserve.
I know alot of really GREAT photographers, who don't separate themselves from the pack, and they can't figure out why others are making more money.

In short, it's the photoshop. Photoshop can take you to a new level.

[cadmium]

Originally Posted by littlegal

I definately appreciate what you have to say cadmium, but you must remember, that most wedding photographers don't do this at all.

Typically, a wedding photographer (depending on UK or US) is dealing with 500-100 photographs at one time. 90 percent of those shots are candid.

If a wedding photographer has one event a week, well you can see where you can't spend eternity in PS.

However, don't get me wrong. I value what you have to say. It all comes down however to a time management/expectation issue.

For instance, I advertise myself as a "wedding photojournalist". By doing so, I shoot just as I would in the Wire Service, which I was a memeber of before Wedddings. (Sipa). Which means, it all plays out as it was.

However, from a sales standpoint, I'm going to sell the cleaned up print, much faster than the ooc photograph, which would be the normal pj standpoint.

Due to workload, I also can't spend enormous amounts of time on any one photo, as my normal turnover rate is above 800 fully manipulated photos, and an album in one week.

So there is the cunnundrum. I do more than expected, but not as much as I'd like.

I agree with what you are saying. I think digital design is a growing segment of professional photography. When I had my wedding back in '05 just about everyone offered some type of "design" service, for a fee of course. Most of their offerings were canned layout templates and frankly - sucked, which may be part of my bias.

The places we looked at were larger studios or associations, so they had dedicated staff to do the design. I appreciate it's even harder for independant photographers with limited resources.

It's a tricky road, photography and photo-design are related, but very different skills it takes a *lot* of dedication to be good at both. I am quite familiar with photoshop, but I do not consider myself a designer by any means. It's just hard to do everything well, but those who can have an obvious edge.

Originally Posted by littlegal

You should start a PS thread. I bet people would be very interested. I know I would.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

It's a thought. I don't claim to be the best photo 'chopper out there, but I like to think I can hold my own

Originally Posted by littlegal

You mentioned a suble edit. In most cases this works well. However to separate yourself as a photographer sometimes you need extremes:

...

In short, it's the photoshop. Photoshop can take you to a new level.

I agree with you, it's a new direction for the industry which opens up many new possibilities - and challenges.

I really like these last few, especially 1-3.

[littlegal]

Yeah, there is so much to learn if you want to be successful. It isn't about just a photograph anymore. These girls are savy, and they want it all. The want to be tucked in, they want textures, they want seamless albums, and a great website to boot.
It's a ton of work.
I started out working for pretty cheap, but when I realized what they wanted, I raised my prices. It takes a LOT of time to do all this stuff. I've worked more than my share of 16 hour days. 7 days a week mind you.
But that is what it takes sometimes to stand out from the crowd. Yes, my photos are fine ooc, but with a little work they stand out. It's just a few more hours. And I get all sorts of goodies from advertisers who want to rep me, and all sorts of other goodies.
It separates you from the pack.
And if you are in an area like me, with 1500 photographers on the net, it's a good thing. Especially when you are charging the money we are asking for. It's not out of line for what we offer/do, but it's not cheap by any means.

[harryb49]

Originally Posted by littlegal

Once you make yourself a bit different, or offer something that someone doesn't, you can ask for the kind of money that your really deserve.
I know alot of really GREAT photographers, who don't separate themselves from the pack, and they can't figure out why others are making more money.

In short, it's the photoshop. Photoshop can take you to a new level.

Littlegal,

I have been pondering how to best grow and expand my photography skills and you have given me the answer with the above quote. Thanks a million for the inspiration.

What books, tutorials, classes, did you use to get your photoshop skills to the level you enjoy now?

Take care,
Harry